Data recorder



Dec- 9; 1958 B.' COOPER ET AL 2,863,710

DATA RECORDER Filed April 21. 1953 United States Patent O DATA RECORDERBenjamin Cooper, Joseph S. Wapner and John G. Robaek,

Brooklyn, N. Y.; said Wapner and said Roback assignors to said CooperApplication April 21, 1953, Serial No. 350,137

1 Claim. (Cl. 346-34) This invention relates generally to automatic`event recording devices, and in particular to an automatic recordingdevice that will print a record of the occurrence of each event.

The invention is directed toward the provision of a data recorderdesigned for use in a situation where many events are to be recorded. Anexample of such a situation would be a Power House wherein electricityis manufactured. In this instance, it is desirable that the controllingengineer know when certain events happen for proper maintenance andoperation of the Power Plant. Por example; when a. =failure occurs, itis desirable that the source be readily determined so that it may becorrected to remove the failure. Therefore, each of the major possiblesources of failure will be provided with a detecting device which willindicate to the apparatus of the present invention that a failure hasoccurred. These devices may be utilized on the generator proper, ontransformers or on switch points, or any of a multitude of locations.The present invention provides means for sensing an abnormal conditionat any one or more of the plurality of locations. The occurrence of anabnormal condition is stored in a memory device which is read out anddata corresponding to the abnormal condition is printed on a record orthe like.

Therefore, one of the principal objects of the invention resides in theprovision of a recording device that will receive data from one or moresources and will store said data in memory means.

Another object of the invention is to provide read-out means for readingthe data out of said memory means.

Another object is to provide printing means for printing a record of thedata that is read out of the memory means.

Another object is to provide in an automatic data recorder, means todifferentiate between the occurrence of an event and the ending of anevent.

Another object of the invention is to provide manually operative meansfor actuating the automatic data recorder to indicate the presentindividual status of each of the plurality of event detecting devices.

Other ancillary objectives will be, in part, hereinafter pointed out andwill be, in part, hereinafter apparent.

In the drawings;

Figure l is a schematic diagram of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a plan elevation of the means for dierentiating between thebeginning of an abnormal condition and the return thereof to normalcondition.

Referring to the drawings in detail, generally designates relay means.There is a relay means 10 provided for each possible event or conditionthat it is desired to detect.

Each relay means 10 is similar to the other and therefore thedescription of more than one is not deemed neceSsary. It will beunderstood that all relay means 10 will appear in an identical manner aswill be hereinafter described.

Each relay means 1li comprises a relay coil 12, a pair switch generallydesignated as 39.

i' ice of normally closed contacts 14, a pair of normally open contacts16, a second pair of normally closed contacts designated as 18 and asecond pair of normally open contacts designated as 20. Further, eachrelay means includes a capacitor 22 that is provided for reasonshereinafter appearing.

Associated with each relay coil 12, is a switch 24 that is positionedremotely at a possible source of trouble where it is desirable to recordthe occurrence of the trouble. Switch 24 is of the normally-open typeand is adapted to close upon the existence or happening of an abnormalcondition. While it has not been shown, conventional external deviceswell known to those skilled in the art such as thermostats, gauges etc.,may be utilized to actuate Athe switches 24. The structural relationshipof these devices with the switches 24 forms no part of the invention andis not described in detail herein. For the purpose of this applicationit will be understood that the switches 24 respond to these devices whena condition other than normal occurs. Switch 24 is disposed in a seriescircuit with coil 12. This circuit may be traced from a positive sourceof potential through switch 24, when closed, through the ooil 12, over aconductor 26 and through a normally closed manually operative switch 28to a source of negative potential.

Thus, with the closing of switch 24, it is evident that the coil 12energizes. The energizing of coil 12 opens the normally closed contacts14 and 18 and closes the normally open contacts 16 and 20. The closingof normally open contacts 16 completes a circuit to capacitor 22 toplace an electrical charge on said capacitor. This circuit may be tracedas follows: from a source of positive potential over conductor 30,through the closed switch 16 and through closed switch 14 over conductor32 to one terminal of capacitor 22. yThe other terminal of capacitor 22is connected to a source of negative potential, thus, capacitor 22becomes energized. It may be pointed out at this time that contacts 14and 16, 18 and 20 are the make before break type. That is, contacts 16will make or close before the contacts 14 break or open. In a similarmanner, contacts Z0 will close before contacts 18 open. This make beforebreak permits a momentary closing of both contacts to provide a completecircuit for the charging of capacitor 22. Conductor 32 is connected to acontact designated as 37 of a rotary contact Contact 37 is not connectedin any circuit.

It will be understood that the fixed contacts adjacent to the fixedcontact 37 will each be connected by an individual conductor to arespective capacitor, not shown. There will be las many capacitors asthere are relay means 10 and the differing detecting devices.

The concurrent actuation of contacts 18 and 20 similarly completes acircuit that controls the operation of a conventional thyratron vacuumtube generally designated as VTI.

This cir-cuit may be traced as follows: from a source of positivepotential through the closed contacts 18 and 21), over conductor 34 tothe grid circuit of thyratron VTI. Thyratron VTi is a conventionalthyratron and the circuit is such that the thyratron is normally biasedat cut-off, i. e., no current ows in the plate circuit thereof. Thepulse increases the potential on the grid circuit 36 of the thyratronVTl and lires or ignites said thyratron thereby conducting plate currentover conductor 40. Conductor 4i) is connected to one terminal ofsolenoid 42. The other terminal of solenoid 42 is connected by conductor44 to a rotary contact 46 of a rotary switch generally designated as 4S.Rotary switch 48 is of the type wherein the rotary -contact iscontinuously in engagement with a ring contact Si), except for a fewdegrees of its rotation. In normal position, rotary contact 46 is incontact with ring contact 50. Ring contact 50 is connected to a sourceof positive potential. Therefore, the conducting of current by thethyratron VT1 results in the energization of solenoid 42 and actuationof armature 52. Associated .with armature 52 is a normally open switch54 and a switch actuator 56. Switch actuator 56 is in the form of a camfollower and is adapted to ride on the periphery of a cam 60.

The rotary contact 39a of stepping switch 39, rotary contact 46 ofstepping switch 50 and cam 60 are jointly mounted on a common shaft 62represented in Figure l as a broken line. Shaft 62 is connected` bymeans of gears 64, 66 and 68 to a friction clutch 70, which is in turndriven by an electric motor 72. Motor 72 is energized by the closing ofswitch 54 over a circuit which may be traced as follows: from ACGthrough motor 72, over conductor 74, through a normally closed switch76, over conductor 78, through closed switch 54', over conductor S tonormally closed contacts 82a and 82h of switch S2 to ACH. The energizingof motor 72 thereby rotates shaft 62 in the direction of t-he arrows,Figure l. Rotary contact @t5-breaks contact with ring contact 50, upon afew degrees of rotation of shaft 62, thereby shutting off from a sourceof positive potential, the plate of thyratron VTI. Accordingly, solenoid42 de-energizes and cam follower 56 is spring urged toward its normalposition. However, by this time, the low dwell 60a in which cam followernormally resides when the shaft is not rotating, has rotated and thehigh dwell of cam 60 holds switch 54 in actuated condition until onerevolution has been completed by said cam. Thyratron VT1 does notreignite when contact 46 reengages ring contact 50 since contacts 18 areopen. Thus, motor 72 continues to rotate shaft 62 for one revolution.Upon the engagement of rotary Contact 39a with the charged contact 37, acircuit is completed which charges or ignites the thyratron VT2. This isaccomplished by conductor 84 interconnecting the now charged rotarycontact 39a with the grid circuit 86 of the thyratron VT2. Thyratron VTZis similar in respect to the thyratron VT1, and upon the charging of thegrid circuit thereof, thyratron VT2 conducts current through its relatedplate circuit.

The plate circuit of the thyratron VT2 includes aconductor 88 in serieswith a solenoid 90, a conductor 92, and a normally closed pair ofcontacts 94. One of the contacts 94 is connected to a source of positivepotential. Thus, with the ring of thyratron VT2, soleno-id 90 isenergized. Solenoid 90 -controls a pawl 96 which is adapted to engage aratchet wheel 98 affixed to shaft 62. Pawl 96 is adapted toinstantaneously engage the ratchet wheel 98 and arrest the rotation ofshaft 62 while said shaft is still in the angular position whereinrotary contact 39a is in engagement with charged contact 37. It will beunderstood however, that the capacitor charge on contact 37 will nowhave dissipated through the grid circuit of thyratron VT2.

Drum 100 is similarly affixed to and rotatable with shaft 62. Theperiphery of drum 100 is engraved with indicia corresponding to thevarious trouble points at which each of `the contacts 24 of the relaymeans 10 are disposed. Thus, with the arresting of the shaft 62 in aselected position, a pre-determined engraved indicia will be presentedto a printing mechanism that is simply shown as a printing solenoid 102.It will be understood, however, that the necessary paper recordingmedium is provided to transfer an imprint of the indicia thereon.

With the energization of solenoid 90 and the arresting of shaft 62 bypawl '96 and ratchet wheel 93, switch. 82 is actuated to open contact52a from engagement with 3212 and close contact 521) with contact 82e.The opening of contacts 82a and g2b, of course, opens the cir cuit thatenergizes motor 72, thus stopping said motor and further completes acircuit which energizes the printing solenoid 102. This circuitmay betraced as follows: from ACH through closed contacts 82b, 82e, overnon-conducting condition.

ation.

102. The other terminal of the coil 0f solenoid 102 is connected to ACG.Therefore, solenoid 102 energizes and the platen 10201 is actuated toetfect a printing oper- Platen 102g, during the printing operation,engages and opens normally closed switch 94 which interrupts thepositive source of supply to the plate of thyratron VT2, therebyrestoring said thyratron to its initial Concurrently, solenoiddeenergizes and pawl 96 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 98. Motor72 is once more energized with the closing of contacts 8212 and 82a andshaft 62 continues to revolve. If another relay means 10 is actuated,and its respective contact of the stepping switch 39 charged then uponrotary Contact 39a reaching the charged contact, the aforesaid cycle ofoperation will be repeated to print a record of the related abnormalcondition. I-f no other xed contact of rotary switch 39 is charged,shaft 62 will complete one revolution as defined by the cam 60. That is,when cam follower 56 enters the low dwell 60a of cam 60, switch 54 willopen and motor 72 will de-energize.

Upon the opening of contact 24, such as would be the case when thetrouble was manually corrected or if the abnormal condition correcteditself, relay coil 12 will be de-energized and conta-cts 18-20 and 14-16will restore to a normal position. The restoring of these contactsproduces pulses similar to that produced upon the initial actuation ofthe contacts and the aforesaid cycle of operation is repeated with theprinting of the related indicia.

Means is provided to differentiate between the initiation of an abnormalcondition and the cessation of an abnormal condition and to this endthere is provided a printing slug mechanism generally'designated as 120,Figures 1 and 2. Slug mechanism 120 consists of a printing solenoid 122that controls a type wheel 124 to position said type wheel in one oftwoV positions. As shown in the drawings, the energizing of solenoid 122will condition the type wheel 124 to concurrently print with theselected indicia on drum 100, other indicia that identifies the printingas being the beginning of an abnormal condition. When solenoid 122 isde-energized, type wheel 124 will print indicia representative of thefact that the abnormal condition has been cleared. As shown in Figure l,a circuit is provided to control the selection of the printing wheel124. To this end, there is provided a rotary switch 126, similar in allrespects, to the rotary switch 39 which is also mounted on and rotatablewith the shaft 62. A conductor is provided between each of the switches24 and a respective contact of the stepping switch 126. The presentcircuit is shown existing from a sour-ce of positive potential throughthe closed contact 24 over conductor 129l to a fixed contact 130 ofrotary switch 126, through switch 126, over conductor 132 to oneterminal of solenoid 122. The other terminal coil 122 is connected to asource of negative potential.

Thus, when switch 24 closed, positive potential was present on therelated contact of rotary switch 126. With the rotation of shaft 62during the normal cycle, the rotary contact 126e of rotary switch 126concurrently engages the contact 130 to complete lthe circuit andenergize solenoid 122. Therefore, solenoid 122 will either be energizedor `de-energized during each printing operation, in accordance withwhether or not a switch 24 has just opened or just closed. l

From the foregoing, it is evident that the closing of a switch 24 byextraneous means resulting from an abnormal condition at one of theremote detecting locations, will cause a predetermined operation toresult in the apparatus of the present invention. This operation will infact, produce La printed record of the abnormal condition.

Should two or more abnormal conditions arise con currently or otherwisearise at different detecting locations, both abnormal conditions will bestored and read out, and a print made thereof without respect to thetime sequence of occurrence.

1t may be pointed out at this time, that as many switches 24 and relatedrelay means 141 may be provided as desired. The restrictions of as tohow many may be utilized, lies solely in the physical construction ofthe rotary switches 126, 39 and the drum 189. lt has been found byexperiment, that approximately one hundred locations enables the presentinvention to operate in an efficient manner.

Means are provided to make a status print of every detecting location,and to this end there is directed a push button 28 and push button 29.Push button 28 is of the normally closed type' and is disposed in serieswith the source of negative potential common to all of the relay coils12 of each of the respective relay means 10. Thus, operation of the pushbutton ZS will interrupt the negative return of all those coils 12 thatare energized as a result of an abnormal condition. Release of the pushbutton 28 will restore all of the coils 12 that are in an abnormalcondition to energized condition. Deenergization and re-energization ofthe abnormal conditioned coil 12 Will produce a double charge on therespective contacts of the rotary switch 39. Since a double charge hasno effect, only one operation will result. Those switches 24 that wereclosed by an abnormal condition Will be resultingly printed on therecord thereby indicating the present status of all detecting devicesthat control the switches 24. Obviously, those detecting devices thatare not abnormal, would be unaffected and would not cause printingoperations to occur with respect thereto. However, should it bedesirable to have printing operations occur for every detecting devicewhether abnormal or normal, then the push button 28 may be pressed andreleased and the push button 29 rapidly thereafter pressed and released.Further, push button 29 controls a relay 140 which when energized closesa plurality of switches 142, each of which is normally open and disposedin parallel with the switches 24 of the detecting devices. Thus,energization of relay 140 will simulate the closing of all of theswitches 24 which are open and will produce a pulsing operation forevery switch 24 that is normal or open. Thus, every line of indicia onthe drum 100 will be printed successively as shaft 62 rotates, and thesolenoid 122 will identify each line of indicia, as to whether or not anabnormal condition exists.

It will be noted that a relay 144 is provided under control of the pushbutton 29, so that when said push button 29 is energized, the motorcontrolling switch 76 will be opened, thereby preventing rotation of themotor while push 4button 29 is depressed. This prevents the recording offalse information.

Thus, it will be evident that there is provided a device in whichseveral objects of the invention are achieved, and which is well adaptedto meet the conditions of practical use.

While the foregoing description and embodiment has been applied torecording failures or malfunctions in a power installation, it will belunderstood that the present invention could be readily adapted Withoutalterations or changes to any type recording installation having meansto actuate the switches 24 to record an event or a plurality of events.

The invention claimed is:

In combination, a plurality of detecting devices, means to independentlyactuate and deactuate said devices, a plurality of data representations,each corresponding to a respective detecting device, means controlled byactuation or deactuation of one of said detecting devices toautomatically select a corresponding data representation, manuallyoperable means, and means 'responsive to the actuation of said manuallyoperable means to successively select only those data representations ofthe plurality of data representations that are actuated, a secondmanually operable means, and means responsive to the actuation of saidsecond manually operable means to successively select only those datarepresentations corresponding to all of the detecting devicesirrespective of whether they are deactuated or actuated, and means todierentiate between the actuated and deactuated detecting devices.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,294,555 Spamer Feb. 18, 1919 1,763,879 Burns et al. lune 17, 19301,803,614 Hershey May 5, 1931 1,814,529 Remington July 14, 19311,877,635 Antoniono Sept. 13, 1932 2,128,812 Fricke Aug. 30, 19382,129,762 Harrison Sept. 13, 1938 2,333,783 Harrington Nov. 9, 19432,712,128 Woodrui June 28, 1955

